The post-Christmas come-down. Harder for kids than adults, I reckon, but that probably depends in part on your work situation and what the rest of the week looks like for you. Around here, it’s basically back to normal, though I wonder whether MLB front offices will treat it that way …
Is there a single pitch/match-up combination that can make a batter look more silly than a really good righty changeup to a lefty batter? I love this, and of course, Kyle Hendricks makes multiple appearances:
Kyle Hendricks, as you should absolutely expect, had the most valuable changeup in baseball last year, and he had it by a country mile:
Since 2014, which was only a half-year for Hendricks as he made his big league debut, only Zack Greinke is in Hendricks’ league, and that duo – plus Chris Sale – are crushing everyone else:
Also: hey there, Cole Hamels. Also also: holy crap, Chris Sale.
That’s one of those plays that requires multiple viewings to truly appreciate how insane it was that he did that. Ramon Laureano, 24, is an outfielder that many of us knew absolutely nothing about until that throw, but he’s actually “a guy” – he came up as a decent prospect in the Astros’ system, and was swapped to the A’s in a rare good-prospect-for-good-prospect trade (Brandon Bailey) last year, as Laureano was going to be Rule 5 eligible. Laureano raked at AAA for half a year, and then got a 48-game taste of the big leagues: .288/.358/.474, 129 wRC+, with quality defense.
Given the over-crowded ballot, this is about as good as it gets. I’d probably swap Sammy for Andruw Jones, which, I know, is sacrilegious. Can’t complain about this one, though:
Ballot #95 is from first-time voter Christina Kahrl. Bonds, Clemens, Halladay, Edgar, Mussina, and Rivera are 5-for-5 among first-timers. In the Tracker: https://t.co/8ISx82oWgMpic.twitter.com/tz42J0G3DM
Brett Taylor is the Lead Cubs Writer at Bleacher Nation, and you can find him on Twitter at @BleacherNation and on LinkedIn here.
Brett is also the founder of Bleacher Nation, which opened up shop in 2008 as an independent blog about the Chicago Cubs. Later growing to incorporate coverage of other Chicago sports, Bleacher Nation is now one of the largest regional sports blogs on the web.
You can't know what's going to happen on the injury front. Trying to predict the unpredictability of player health has been the longest-running vexatious part of a modern front office's job, and I recognize that kind of thing before getting...
Ah, now the obligatory off-day after Opening Day. And an Opening Day loss no less, which always makes today that much better, right ... You could hang on so many things from the opening loss - one-run losses in heavily-scrutinized...
A significant update on Justin Steele came from Craig Counsell tonight after the Cubs extra innings loss in Texas. In short: Yes, a stint on the Injured List is likely for Justin Steele. But we still don't know how severe...
It took exactly one day for the Cubs' ace to sustain what may be a significant injury, for their closer to blow a save, for the umpires to significantly impact the outcome of a critical play (this time in the...
That was absolutely incredible. To all the little kids out there, when your coach tells you to never stop running, this is why. Rookie Cubs 1B Michael Busch (the guy the Cubs got from the Dodgers this offseason to be...
*SHORT COURTS: It's Time To Bring The Home Court, Home! Looking for a unique way to celebrate your athlete or team before you peruse the FIRST CHICAGO CUBS LINEUP of the Year? Don't miss out! For just one more week...
I am still mostly incapacitated at the moment, so apologies for the short shrift on such an otherwise blessed day. In between pokes and prods, I wanted to share a chart I saw that was pretty interesting, even if unsurprising:...
ESPN was the first to throw some love the Cubs way this week, with an overwhelming majority of their writers, analysts, and editors picking the Chicago Cubs to win the NL Central in 2024. But the love doesn't end there....
You know where you want to spend your Opening Day morning? The hospital! Suffice to say, this is not how I imagined getting HYPED for the Cubs' opener. I guess I'll just have to think about all the possible lineup...
Cubs vs Rangers — THE REGULAR SEASON IS HERE! Wake up and rejoice. Later tonight, the Cubs will begin their march toward October Baseball against the (reigning World Series champion) Texas Rangers in Arlington. Justin Steele is getting the nod...
The Brooklyn Nets (28-45) face the Chicago Bulls (35-38) on Friday, March 29, 2024 at Barclays Center. It tips at 7:30 PM ET on NBCS.Last time out, the Bulls won on Wednesday 125-99 over the Pacers. The Nets are coming...
The New York Knicks (44-28) will try to build on a three-game winning run when visiting the San Antonio Spurs (17-56) on Friday, March 29, 2024 at AT&T Center. It airs at 8:00 PM ET on BSSW.In their most recent...
The Philadelphia 76ers (39-34) go up against the Cleveland Cavaliers (44-29) on Friday, March 29, 2024 at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. It starts at 7:30 PM ET on NBCS.The Cavaliers dropped their last outing 118-111 against the Hornets on Wednesday. The...
The Houston Astros will take the field against the New York Yankees (1-0) on Friday. The game begins at 8:10 PM ET on Apple TV+, with the Astros listed as -121 favorites on the moneyline.Houston's Cristian Javier and New York's...
The Los Angeles Clippers play the Orlando Magic on Friday at 7:00 PM ET, and if the Clippers' Kawhi Leonard drains two 3-pointers, he'll beat his prop.Kawhi Leonard's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the MagicKawhi Leonard's over/under for three-pointers in this...
The Charlotte Hornets face the Golden State Warriors at 7:00 PM ET on Friday, and one of the 3-pointer props available for this matchup requires two treys from Miles Bridges.Miles Bridges' Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the WarriorsMiles Bridges' over/under for...
At 7:00 PM ET on Friday, it'll be the Washington Wizards versus the Detroit Pistons, with Deni Avdija needing two trifectas to beat his 3-pointer prop.Deni Avdija's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the PistonsDeni Avdija's over/under for three-pointers in this game:...
Will James Harden make three 3-pointers when the Los Angeles Clippers play the Orlando Magic on Friday at 7:00 PM ET? If so, he'll beat his prop for the game.James Harden's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the MagicJames Harden's over/under for...
The Washington Wizards meet the Detroit Pistons at 7:00 PM ET on Friday, and one of the 3-pointer over/unders available for this matchup requires three trifectas from Jordan Poole.Jordan Poole's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the PistonsJordan Poole's over/under for three-pointers...
On Friday at 7:30 PM ET, the Philadelphia 76ers play the Cleveland Cavaliers, and Kelly Oubre Jr.'s 3-pointer prop for this clash requires two trifectas.Kelly Oubre Jr.'s Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the CavaliersKelly Oubre Jr.'s over/under for three-pointers in this...